Rams owner, GM teamed up to build Super Bowl defence
There’s been little mentioned this week about two men who deserve much of the credit for the Los Angeles Rams getting to the Super Bowl.
One is general manager Les Snead, who targeted some key veterans on defence that gave the team a boost, and the other is owner Stan Kroenke, who dug deep into his pockets to give him the money to do so.
Defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh was cut by the Miami Dolphins in the spring and the Rams made him their highest paid player for the 2018 season with a one-year, US$14 million contract. They also traded to get veteran cornerback Aqib Talib for a fifth-round pick. With two years left on his deal, Talib became the team’s third-highest paid player in 2018 at $11 million. His salary drops to $8 million next season.
In his ninth season, Suh was the second overall selection of the 2010 draft. His presence alongside Aaron Donald gives the Rams two of the best inside pressure guys in the NFL.
Suh was somewhat of a gamble — he’s been in trouble in the past for stomping incidents and cheap shots — but it’s one that’s paid off for Los Angeles.
“I think people have their right to their opinion,” Suh said when asked by Postmedia about previously being portrayed as a bad guy. “It doesn’t mean it’s always right. I would just ask people to look underneath the hood instead of just looking at the shiny car and saying, ‘Oh, that looks like an amazing car.’ It could be a terrible vehicle and one that doesn’t even start.
“People are going to make their opinions and I’m going to continue to be who I am.”
Suh said signing for one-year was also a gamble … one that he was happy to take.
“I look at it as betting on yourself,” he said. “I had an understanding of what this team has, and the vision of ownership … that was my mindset. Go out there and put everything on the table.”
Being cut by the Dolphins, he added, was a blessing in disguise.
“I’ve always been of the opinion that things happen for a reason,” said Suh. “I think that reason has evolved over the last six to eight months.”
Talib, who has the reputation as a hothead, has also been in trouble on the field. In 2017, he was suspended two games for fighting with Raiders receiver Michael Crabtree.
But the 11-year veteran is also still known as one the best corners in the league. And his experience as a Super Bowl winner with the Broncos in 2016 was a plus for the Rams.
“I’m definitely blessed to be here,” said Talib. “To go to L.A., in year one go back to the Super Bowl, I’m definitely blessed.”
Talib, who started his career in Tampa, spent a season and a half with the Patriots before going to Denver in 2014.
Tom Brady spoke highly of his former teammate on Media Night at the Super Bowl. Talib appreciated it.
“It’s dope, man,” he said. “I got a lot of texts from guys back home, saying ‘Tom showed you a lot of love.’
“It’s crazy man. Being a football fan, you know about Tom Brady, but also being one of his peers right now, know I have a respect for him, and he has a respect for me, is dope.”
Talib said he grew as a player while with the Patriots.
“Playing in New England, you become more of a professional guy,” he said. “You set more alarms in the morning, you’re not going to be late. Study a little more. They’re always on TV, so you don’t want to get burned on TV. Bill (coach Belichick) is going to speak his mind if you mess him up. You don’t want to be on Bill’s bad side.
“You become more professional in all ways, watching what you say to the media and things like that.”
He also acknowledged that beating the Patriots on Sunday would be extra special
“All Super Bowls are meaningful, but if you beat the (greatest) guy of your era, there’s going to be an asterisk next to that one. You don’t need extra motivation to play in this game, but it doesn’t make it extra sweet to play against Bill Belichick and Tom Brady.”
But knowing the Pats from the inside isn’t going to help on Sunday, he added.
“Only thing that’s going to help is if you study the iPad, you study the game plan and you go out on Sunday and do your best to execute,” said Talib, who hasn’t offered much of the way in advice to his teammates about what playing in the Super Bowl is like “Everybody is going to have butterflies. I gave them advice on hotels, tickets and the frenzy, that kind of stuff, but as far as the game, you’re going to have to get to the game yourself.”
Talib does believe the Rams have the right blend of talent to get the job done.
“We’ve got a great mix,” he said. “Guys who lead by example, guys who lead vocally. A young guy like Jared (Goff ) who steps up to be a leader.
“I think (GM) Les (Snead) did a great job of bringing the right group of guys together.”